The Biblical Path of Life

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  • Examine Yourself

    “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
    Ephesians 2:8-9

    There was a man who was instructed in the ways of the Lord. He knew the Bible. He was a great speaker when he taught things from the Bible. He instructed many people of the correct ways to live according to the principles laid out in God’s Word. This man spoke boldly in the synagogues. He taught the people about the Lord. These were all great things. However, he only taught what he knew and understood. His name was Apollos. When he arrived in Ephesus, teaching good things from the Bible, a couple recognized something. They understood from his teachings that he knew a great deal about God and His Word, but this man did not know Jesus. Apollos had heard of the repentance preached by John the Baptist, but he had not learned that Jesus was the only way for one to receive actual forgiveness of sin. The couple who heard him preach was Aquila and Priscilla. They had previously worked with Paul and had learned much about Jesus and the Salvation that only Jesus could give. They understood the following verses: “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). It did not matter what one knew or what one did (works), it only mattered that one received the gift of God through faith in Jesus.

    Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and taught him the way of God “more perfectly” (see Acts 18:26). They explained Jesus’ death for man’s sin, His burial, and His resurrection. Apollos then had a choice to make. Would he hear “the rest of the story” that salvation is only through faith? Would he believe in Jesus? The next verse helps us understand that Apollos believed through grace (grace means “the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.”) The next thing we read is that Apollos immediately began to show others (through God’s Word that he already knew) that Jesus was the Christ (the one promised in the Old Testament Scriptures), who came to set men free from the bondage of sin.

    The world today is saturated with examples found in the Bible of good principles of living. There are many “teachers” sharing ways to live better lives. One cannot depend upon good living to receive eternal salvation. Today we have God’s Word to read for ourselves. Many have friends who can share the message of salvation that is only found by grace through faith in Jesus.

    The most important thing one must do: Examine yourself to see if you know Jesus. Have you ever come to the place where you recognized that you need a Saviour? Or, are you one who has gone to church, lived a pretty good life, and don’t really recognize you have never actually received Jesus into your heart and life by faith? “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Reprobates means “unapproved, rejected, by implication, worthless; castaway.” Unless one has believed in Jesus, by faith, receiving Him into one’s heart and life, they are considered a reprobate. That verse (2 Corinthians 13:5) encourages one to “prove” your own self. Prove means “to test; examine; prove.” Only you know your heart – if you have truly believed upon Jesus by faith.

    Have you examined your heart to know if you are in the faith (have Jesus in your heart)?

    How to be Saved

  • A Confession and Prayer

    “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
    Proverbs 30:5

    “Agur wrote to his friends a confession. It soon turned into a prayer, one that recognized God. [Note: In brackets there are some definitions.]

    ‘1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, 2. Surely I am more brutish [stupid; foolish] than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge [knowledge gained through the senses] of the holy. 4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? 5. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.’ (Proverbs 30:1–9)

    “Notice that he first recognized himself as a sinner (verses 2–3). He recognized he needed a Savior (verses 3–4). He acknowledged that he could not understand. Compare this with 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” So he cried out, asking His name. Where did he go for his answers? (See verse 5 and remember Psalm 12:6.) But be careful to not add to or change what God’s Word says to fit your need (verse 6). He then continued with a prayer for forgiveness, and provision (remember the Lord’s Prayer we learned in Matthew 6:9–13, especially verses 11–13a). He wants God to forgive him from the sin he now recognized. He then wanted God to only give him what he needed, so he would recognize that it came from God. Too much, and he would claim the glory himself, and too little, he would break God’s commands by stealing. His heart sought God earnestly…

    “Be encouraged to see what others learned about the importance of wisdom in our lesson today. Remember that it is a personal choice – to seek wisdom or to become a fool. We must not only read, but memorize this wisdom found in God’s Word. Just as Agur (in Proverbs 30) realized he was a sinful man and recognized he needed God’s forgiveness, each person must come to that point in their own heart and life. A decision must be made. After choosing God’s forgiveness (becoming a Christian), we should do as Agur did. Agur chose “every word of God” for it is pure. What will you choose? We should choose the wisdom found in God’s Word – and live it out in our lives, thereby pleasing God.

    “God’s wisdom is important to those who belong to Him.”  

    (Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 9: Proverbs 25-31, Wisdom Revealed.)

    Have you chosen to receive every Word of God as pure?

    How to be Saved

  • Light versus Darkness

    “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
    Proverbs 4:18-19

    Everyone understands the difference between light and dark. They are opposites. In one, you can see clearly, in the other you cannot. In the darkness, much can be hidden and unseen. Sometimes we think of the scary things – seen or unseen – in the darkness. See what King Solomon recorded for us to read: “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19). These are two separate ways. They are in contrast one with the other. The way of light, shines more and more. This helps one understand that the path becomes brighter and brighter, where one is able to see and comprehend what is before them better and better.

    What is this light that shines? See what Jesus said in the book of John. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus is The Light. Those who believe in Him (Christians) are to walk in that light, not in darkness. Understand why Jesus came: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46). There is a choice: light or darkness. For those who do not want to walk in darkness, they should choose Jesus, the Light of the world.

    So why doesn’t everyone choose light, believing in Jesus? When people reject God and His commandments, the land fills with “darkness.”  See what Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). There are those who prefer the deeds one finds in the darkness – evil deeds. Those evil deeds are sin that separates people from God. Read why Jesus told Paul to go preach the Gospel message: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). One can understand that those who choose evil deeds, walking in darkness, are under the power of Satan.

    Remember that Jesus came to set people free from that darkness to walk as His dear children in Him (the Light).What can we learn about those who choose to hear the Gospel message of Jesus, turning from those evil deeds done in darkness (sin)? “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Those who choose Him have the light of Jesus in their hearts and lives. Christians are taught to walk as children of light for a Christian cannot walk in “darkness” (sin).  “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).

    As we continue to read, we find more instruction that Christians are to heed. “11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12). Do not be one who has the Light of Jesus in your heart and mind, yet continues to walk with those who chose to remain in darkness. Instead, we are to tell them about Jesus and encourage them to choose the Light of life. As Christians (God’s people), we are to be different – not like the “world” around us “14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:14-17). Wake up! For Jesus will give you light (illuminating your path – remember Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”), then walk cautiously as wise, and understand what the Lord has planned for you.

    Do you walk in darkness, not knowing at what you stumble?

    Or, have you chosen the path of the just that is as the shining light?

    How to be Saved

  • Receive the Instruction of Wisdom

    “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
    Proverbs 1:7

    Wisdom is the major theme of the book of Proverbs and King Solomon wrote much of it. If you remember, shortly after Solomon became king, God came to him in a dream. “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee” (I Kings 3:5). Solomon understood the great things God had done for his father, King David, because he had followed after God. See what King Solomon asked of God: “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:9). This pleased God. Because King Solomon asked for such a good thing (discernment that comes from wisdom), God gave King Solomon great wisdom. He also blessed King Solomon with great wealth and fame.

    The book of Proverbs deals with much of this great wisdom from God. We understand this from the first verses of the book of Proverbs: “1. The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2. To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity” (Proverbs 1:1-3). Read how a wise man is described. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Proverbs 1:5).

    The key verse to understanding the book of Proverbs is Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Solomon wrote much of this book with his only son on his heart and mind. He wanted his son, Rehoboam, to understand the importance of wisdom, and the first thing he had to know and understand was the fear of the Lord. Fear is not what most people think it is. Fear is not necessarily being afraid of the Lord, but it is acknowledging just who He is and who we are in comparison to Him (a reverence of God). Once one has the correct fear of God (understanding who he is), then one can begin to obtain wisdom that leads to understanding what He expects of His people

    Wisdom is more than having knowledge. Wisdom is the discernment in understanding how to use that knowledge correctly; choosing right over wrong; discern between what is true and false; being discreet in the application of knowledge. King Solomon wanted his son to acquire wisdom to help him understand how to make right decisions in his activities of daily life. Solomon did not want his son to be a fool and despise wisdom and instruction. However, in order for Rehobom to acquire the right wisdom, King Solomon said he had to hear his instruction from God’s Word. (This is understood even better as the book of Proverbs is read.) Solomon wanted his son to understand that it all began with a right relationship with God. If one doesn’t have that, one cannot obtain wisdom from God. One is to understand (from God’s point of view found in His Word) what the right thing to do in a situation is. Christians who obtain the wisdom found in God’s Word will have the ability to face life understanding what God wants them to do in order to live a life pleasing to Him.  

    Have you chosen to be a fool, despising God’s wisdom and instruction?

    Or have you chosen the wisdom of God?

  • Pieces of a Puzzle

    “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets”
    Hebrews 1:1

    There were men, called prophets, whom God called for a special purpose. Through these men, he revealed Himself to His people through the ages in different ways at different times. “God, who at sundry times” [refers to the incremental and progressive manner in which God disclosed Himself, up until the appearance of the Son. It was fragmentary, piece by piece, like pieces of a puzzle] “and in divers manners” [this word is used to qualify the manner in which divine revelation during the Old Testament time frame was given. It shows the diverse ways through which God disclosed His Word, such as dreams, visions, and angelic visitation] “spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.” God called the prophets for a special purpose. One of the most famous disobeyed God. Remember Jonah?

    There are twelve Minor Prophets. They can be divided into two groups. The first nine were sent to the people before the people were expelled from the land of Israel. Interestingly, we know very little about these prophets. Some were sent to Judah (the Southern Kingdom), some to Israel (the Northern Kingdom), and some were sent to Gentile nations. They were just ordinary men that God chose to use. See a little bit about the first nine minor prophets as they were sent to God’s people before they were carried captive.

    • Joel was a prophet to Judah who told of a plague of locusts.
    • Micah is known as a prophet to both Israel and Judah calling for the people to “hear.”   
    • Habakkuk is remembered as the prophet who asked God why – and God answered him! He learned that he must have faith in God. “… but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4b).
    • Zephaniah wrote of God’s judgment and mercy. His preaching had great influence upon King Josiah, who “… did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left” (2 Chronicles 34:2).
    • Hosea reveled the love of God, in spite of spiritual adultery. He called for the people to “Come, and let us return unto the LORD …” (Hosea 6:1b).
    • Amos is known as a prophet from the country. He asked, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
    • Obadiah was written as a warning to those who persecute Israelites. He wrote, “The pride of thine heart had deceived thee …” (Obadiah 1:3a).
    • Jonah is known as an unwilling or reluctant prophet. He will be forever known as the prophet who ran from God and was swallowed by a great fish (a whale).
    • Nahum is known as one who prophesied the destruction of Nineveh. He wrote, “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked …” (Nahum 1:3a).

    The prophets came from all walks of life. God used them where they were or sent them where He needed them. Each of these prophets recognized the sovereignty of God in all areas of life. God had an extra-special job for the prophets. He has an extra-special job for his people today as well – if we will only obey! Make your time on earth count for God; live for Him daily. Allow God to use you. Respond when God calls. It may be a minor thing in your eyes that God asks of you, but very important to the kingdom of God.

    Have you allowed God to use you lately?

    From The Biblical Path of Life Year One Quarter One Lesson 10

  • The Wrath of God

    “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
    John 3:36

    No one talks about the wrath of God anymore. What exactly is the wrath of God?  It is mentioned most often in the New Testament. One clear understanding of it is found in the reading of Romans chapter one. In that chapter, one can understand that God’s wrath is holy and just in its indignation against sin. It is so much more than just anger at the willingness of people to continue in sin, it is extreme anger mingled with disgust or abhorrence of that sin.

    Doesn’t God love people? See what Jesus said in the following verses:

    • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
    •  “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).
    •  “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
    •  “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

    Why would God, who is known for His great love, condemn people? People condemn themselves because they have chosen to not believe in Jesus (the Light) and instead love darkness – because their deeds are evil. John summed up the consequences in the last verse of that chapter. It tells what becomes of one who does not believe that Jesus came to die and take away the sin of each individual who would only believe. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36)

    How can one escape the wrath of God? It is declared simply in the Scriptures: “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). In doing this, one must turn from idols (anything that is more important than God – including self) and serve the living God. One must also understand that Jesus, God’s Son, is the only One who can deliver one from the wrath to come. “9. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). We are now waiting for Jesus to come and take us out of the world before the wrath of God comes. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into the wrath of God that will be unleashed upon the earth one day (not to mention in eternity for those who have already died in their sin). One only needs to read the chapters of fourteen and fifteen of Revelation to understand just how bad the wrath of God that will befall those left on the earth.

    Now having understood from John chapter three that the wrath of God abides upon people who do not believe in Jesus, each person has a choice to make:

    Believe on the Son and have everlasting life

    Or

    Believe not the Son and have the wrath of God abide upon them.

    Have you made the choice to believe in Jesus, choosing life?

    How to be Saved

  • A Temptation to Envy the Prosperous Wicked

    “6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
    1 Timothy 6:6-7

    “See what Asaph recognized: ‘Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart’ (Psalm 73:1). He was acknowledging the goodness of God to whom God has given a clean heart (forgiven of sin). But in the very next breath, he admits something. ‘2. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked’ (Psalm 73:2–3). Think for a minute. Have you ever been jealous of someone’s “good luck” or the “cool stuff” they can afford to buy? Maybe someone else can afford to do something you have always wanted to do. That is exactly what Asaph caught himself just about to do. He had been looking at the people who did not belong to God, who had not given their hearts and lives to Him, realizing they were busy pleasing themselves and becoming rich in this world. He was jealous. He was about to “buy into” the lie with which Satan tries to fool us. Do you remember what Jesus told us to do? ‘19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matthew 6:19–21).

    “Notice that Asaph recognized God’s goodness to those who were of a “clean heart.” Their hearts were with God, forgiven by God. That is where God wants our hearts and even our minds. Do you remember what happened to Achan when he disobeyed God and stole the garment, the wedge of gold, and the shekels of silver. Israel lost the next battle, and Achan and his family were stoned (Joshua 7:20–26). He chose “things” (riches) over obedience to God and His Word. 

    “Asaph saw the prosperity of this world and did not understand (Psalm 73:4–12). He began to think that he had missed. ‘13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning’ (Psalm 73:13–14). He was almost ready to give up his “religion.” He didn’t understand why it seemed he had so many problems and troubles when the wicked didn’t. Notice where it was that Asaph learned what he needed to know about this situation. ‘Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end’ (Psalm 73:17). He found the answers to his questions when he went to “church”, that place dedicated to the things of God. Then he understood “their end.” He recognized his ignorance (“So foolish was I, and ignorant …” Psalm 73:22). He knew God would lead him and give him counsel (Psalm 73:24) and then receive him into glory. It is here that he acknowledges ‘there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee’ (Psalm 73:25b). He had made God his heart’s desire.” (An excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 4.)

    When you were born, you did not bring anything with you (see Ecclesiastes 5:15-16). Jesus told us to lay not up for ourselves treasure here on earth, but in heaven. He also gave us a warning that where our treasure is, that is where our heart will be. We can also be reminded of this in 1 Timothy 6:6-7: “6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” After remembering this, see what we are to do: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

    Are you content with what you have?

    Have you made God your heart’s desire?

  • Jesus, the Light of the World

    “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
    John 8:12

    Does the world seem like it is a very dark place anymore? There is so much unrest and wickedness in the world today, it feels as if there is little hope for a peaceful future. Much of the evil persists in the darkest of the day, under the cover of night. “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:19). What is one to do?

    God knew the wickedness in the hearts of people. Remember: “2. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:2-3). What a sad state people came to be! Yet because God loved us, he sent His Son, Jesus. He gave Jesus to be the light to bring people out of that darkness. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). In the light, one can see. One can know where to go. Why is it so important to follow the Light, Jesus? “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).

    What an amazing thing Jesus is able to do:

    • turn one from darkness to light
    • turn one from the power of Satan unto God
    • give forgiveness of sins
    • give an inheritance by faith in Jesus

    Read how Jesus simply stated it: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46). Who wouldn’t want to live in the light as opposed to living in darkness (where wickedness abounds)?

    So why is the world still in such darkness? “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Some people just love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.

    What are those who choose Jesus, the Light, to do? First, remember from whence you came. If you give your heart and life to Jesus, you are no longer that person you once were. You are a new creature in Christ, so you no longer do the wickedness of the darkness. “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

    How can this world become a brighter, less dark place to live? We are to be a light in this world. We must tell more people about Jesus so that they can have the opportunity to turn from the darkness of sin to the Light of Jesus. “14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

    Do you walk in the light, showing others Jesus in your heart and life?

    How to be Saved

  • How to be Blessed (Happy)

    “1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
    Psalm 1:1-6

    Who in this world doesn’t want to be blessed (happy)? The Bible clearly helps us understand how to be blessed. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1). This should be rather simple to understand.

    • Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. (Do not walk with people who are morally wrong, following their advice.)
    • Do not stand in the way of sinners. (Do not stand, or make the course of your life, with sinners – those who choose to disregard God’s Word.)
    • Do not sit in the seat of the scornful. (To sit down and live, or dwell continually, with those who scoff or mock the things of God.)    

    One can notice that there is a progression. First, one walks with sinners. Most do not find this a big deal. However, then one stands with them and chooses to make them their “friends.” Finally, one sits down with them, dwelling continually with them, and they proceed to disregard, scoff and mock the things of God. It does not happen all at once. It takes time with most people. A little compromise here, a little compromise there, and before one knows what happens, one can be quite comfortable dwelling in this world and its system – far from God and His plan.

    Now that we have read what one is not to do, see what Psalm one tells one to do. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Read, know and live God’s Word – and enjoy it for it is important! When one does that, life is compared to a tree planted by a river that grows and thrives, producing fruit (see Psalm 1:3). Compare that picture with the following: “10. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11). God’s Word lived out in one’s life makes all of the difference!

    Read the life of one who chooses to walk with the ungodly: “4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalm 1:4-5). The ungodly will be driven away and not allowed to stand or sit with the righteous.

    The finality is declared in the closing verse of Psalm one. “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:6). God knows those who belong to Him. The rest will perish (they will be like the worthless chaff that is driven away). Remember what makes the difference: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

    Are you “blessed?”

  • Seeing God

    “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil”
    1 Peter 3:12

    Job is known as a patient man (see James 5:11). When Satan presented himself before God, take note of what God said about Job: “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8). So we understand what kind of a man Job was – a righteous man. In addition, God knew Satan had set his heart to try to destroy Job. When God allowed Satan to put his hand against Job, note that it was with God’s permission, for God knew Job could handle it. Job was faithful through the first set of trials: “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22).

    Nevertheless, Satan wanted to do more. Once again, God allowed Satan to put his hand against Job in his health, but he could not take Job’s life. Note what we read: “…In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10b).

    Notice that the book of Job opens with this behind-the-scenes event that Job never knew about. But we can learn so much. Satan is accountable to God, and he cannot do anything to God’s people without permission. It is also very clear that Satan’s thoughts are an open book to God – for God knew what Satan was thinking before he even mentioned Job. We also read that Satan had been “… going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it” (Job 1:7b). Satan is not omnipresent, nor is he omniscient! He does not know everything like God does. Satan is limited – God is not limited! We can also understand that God’s eyes are always on His children. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him …” (2 Chronicles 16:9a). Job endured this trial very well. At the end we can read, he understood that he thought that he knew God well before these trials. But in this trial, he really got to know God. “5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). This man that we understood was perfect and upright man, recognized that he was just another sinful man once he really understood who God is.

    Job is a great example to be where God has placed you, doing what God would have you to be doing, and understanding that nothing can or will happen to you that God doesn’t already know you can handle.  Remember: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

    Are you where God wants you to be doing what you are to be doing?

    Do you see God for who He is and what He is doing in your life?